Driver leaves trail of damage, broken hydrant

SAN MARCOS  A motorist believed to have been suffering from a medical condition swerved offroad in San Marcos Saturday night, hit a sign and a guard rail and knocked over a fire hydrant before skidding into a canyon.

The 37-year-old driver was taken to a hospital for evaluation, sheriff’s Cpl. Agustin Rosas said.

The series of crashes started about 5:45 p.m. as the driver of an Infinity G35 was eastbound on Craven Road. He rolled up on the raised center median at Santa Barbara Drive and sent a street sign flying. The sign hit another car, causing minor damage, Rosas said.

The Infinity driver turned south on Twin Oaks Valley Road and veered off the pavement onto a dirt sidewalk, where it hit the hydrant, then the guard rail. Firefighters shut off the geyser from the broken hydrant.

Cal State San Marcos police found the car and driver in the canyon. The driver was helped up the slope, then taken to a hospital, Rosas said.